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The area of land where all of the water that is under it
or drains off of it goes into the same place. John Wesley Powell,
scientist, put it best when he said that a watershed is:

"that area of land, a bounded hydrologic
system, within which all living things are inextricably linked by their
common water course and where, as humans settled, simple logic demanded
that they become part of a community."

Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. They cross county, state,
and national boundaries. In the continental US, there are 2,110
watersheds; including Hawaii Alaska, and Puerto Rico, there are 2,267
watersheds.
(Source: "What Is A Watershed" US EPA)

The Town has approximately 30 stream miles within it's political borders including Turkey Creek, the North Fork of Turkey Creek and Little Turkey Creek, all of which are listed on the State's 303(d) list of impaired streams.

What is Stormwater Runoff And Why Is It A Problem?

Stormwater runoff occurs when precipitation from rain or snowmelt flows
over the ground. Impervious surfaces like driveways, sidewalks, and
streets prevent stormwater runoff from naturally soaking into the
ground.
Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants and
flow into a storm sewer system or directly to a lake, stream, river,
wetland, or coastal water. Anything that enters a storm sewer system is
discharged untreated into the waterbodies we use for swimming, fishing
and providing drinking water.
(Source: "After the Storm" US EPA)

What Are The Effects of Stormwater Pollution?

Sediment & Glass Debris

Polluted stormwater runoff can have many adverse effects on plants, fish, animals and people.

Sediment
can cloud the water and make it difficult or impossible for aquatic
plants to grown. Sediment also can destroy aquatic habitats. Sediment
is the #1 cause of stream impairment in the Town of Farragut and in
Tennessee as a whole.

Excess nutrients can cause algae blooms.
When algae die, they sink to the bottom and decompose in a process that
removes oxygen from the water. Fish and other aquatic organisms can't
exist in water with low dissolved oxygen levels.

Bacteria and other pathogens can wash into swimming areas and create health hazards, often making beach closures necessary.

Debris
- plastic bags, six-pack rings, bottles, and cigarette butts - washed
into waterbodies can choke, suffocate, or disable aquatic life like
ducks, fish, turtles, and birds. Debris can also be hazardous to humans
during the recreational use of streams and other water bodies.

Household hazardous wastes like
insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, used motor oil, and other
auto fluids can poison aquatic life. Land animals and people can become
sick from eating diseased fish and shellfish or ingesting polluted
water.

Polluted stormwater often affects drinking water sources. This, in
turn, can affect human health and increase drinking water treatment
costs.
(Source: "After the Storm" US EPA)

How Can I Prevent Stormwater Pollution

Residential

Recycle or properly dispose of household products that contain
chemicals, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, and used
motor oil and other auto fluids. Don't pour them onto the ground or into
storm drains. Visit Knox County's Recycling and Household Hazardous Waste Website for more information.

Lawn Care

Excess
fertilizers and pesticides applied to lawns and gardens wash off and
pollute streams. In addition, yard clippings and leaves can wash into
storm drains and contribute nutrients and organic matter to streams.

Don't overwater your lawn. Consider using a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler.

Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use
these chemicals in the recommended amounts. Use organic mulch or safer
pest control methods whenever possible.

Compost or mulch yard waste. Don't leave it in the street or sweep it into storm drains or streams.

Cover piles of dirt or mulch being used in landscaping projects.

Septic Systems

Leaking and poorly maintained septic systems release nutrients and
pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that can be picked up by stormwater and
discharged into nearby waterbodies. Pathogens an cause public health
problems and environmental concerns.

Inspect your system every 3 years and pump your tank as necessary (every 3 to 5 years).

Don't dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.

Auto Care

Washing
your car and degreasing auto parts at home can send detergents and
other contaminants through the storm sewer system. Dumping automotive
fluids into storm drains has the same result as dumping the materials
directly into a waterbody.

Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or
wash your car on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.

Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.

Pet Waste

Pet waste can be a major source of bacteria and excess nutrients in local waters.

When walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of
it properly. Flushing pet waste is the best disposal method. Leaving pet
waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful
bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into
local waterbodies.

Rain Barrels—You can collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof containers. The water can be used later on lawn or garden areas.

Rain Gardens and Grassy Swales—Specially
designed areas planted with native plants can provide natural places
for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Rain from rooftop
areas or paved areas can be diverted into these areas rather than into
storm drains.

Vegetated Filter Strips—Filter strips are areas of
native grass or plants created along roadways or streams. They trap the
pollutants stormwater picks up as it flows across driveways and streets.

Commercial

Dirt, oil, and debris that collect in parking lots and paved areas
can be washed into the storm sewer system and eventually enter local
waterbodies.

Sweep up litter and debris from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, especially around storm drains.

Cover grease storage and dumpsters and keep them clean to avoid leaks.

Report any chemical spill to the local hazardous waste cleanup team.
They'll know the best way to keep spills from harming the environment.

Construction

Erosion controls that aren't maintained can cause excessive amounts of
sediment and debris to be carried into the stormwater system.
Construction vehicles can leak fuel, oil, and other harmful fluids that
can be picked up by stormwater and deposited into local waterbodies.

Divert stormwater away from disturbed or exposed areas of the construction site.